Pinching pennies is a great way to bump up your savings account and get the most out of your money, but being frugal isn’t always unhealthy. Don’t be so frugal that you hurt yourself in some way. Below are ten things frugal people should not do, according to an online forum, even if it saves money.
1. Don’t Skip the Doctor or Dentist
One wise online commenter said, “Health is wealth.” It’s much more cost-effective to pay $100 yearly for teeth cleaning than $2,000 for a root canal. It’s best to focus on prevention because cures are much more expensive. Take care of yourself, and you’ll save money in the long run.
2. Don’t DIY Dangerous Tasks
If you need new brake pads, tree branches trimmed, or gutters cleaned, call a professional to do the job. You could seriously injure yourself, or worse, if you attempt these kinds of risky tasks on your own, you may wind up with thousands of dollars in hospital bills and repairs. Just shop around for an affordable contractor and consider it a sound investment.
3. Don’t Trust the Untrained
Getting your ears pierced at Claire’s, having your friend give you a tattoo, or letting a student cosmetologist cut your hair may seem like a cheap hack, but it can end in serious infections and despair. Like dangerous tasks, these kinds of things should be left to the professionals. Please don’t take the cheap option in these scenarios because you’ll likely regret it.
4. Don’t Work Too Much
Frugal people sometimes work themselves to the bone because they feel their time is best spent making money. However, excessive work can lead to both physical and mental health problems. Make sure you give yourself a break every so often.
5. Don’t Buy Cheap Shoes
This list offers some broad advice for ditching unsafe frugal habits, but this one is very specific. Do not buy cheap shoes! Not only will you be uncomfortable or in pain, but unsupportive shoes can lead to long-term health problems, excessive fatigue, and bad moods.
6. Don’t Eat Only Processed Food
Things like ramen, hot dogs, and Kraft mac and cheese are tempting because they cost pennies, but you must ensure your body receives the nutrition it needs. Sure, have ramen for lunch, but have some fresh veggies for dinner or fruit for breakfast. Produce can be incredibly affordable, too!
7. Don’t Skip Creature Comforts
Cheap mattresses, pillows, chairs, couches, and blankets may make sense when shopping, but when you wake up with a sore neck or can’t stay warm under the cheap blankets, you’ll wish you had spent a little more. Instead of buying cheap things, invest in your creature comforts and make them last for a long time.
8. Don’t Use Sketchy Equipment, Appliances, or Vehicles
This one applies to many things, but we want to highlight that you should not drive an unsafe vehicle in the same of save money. Modern cars have way more safety features and are worth the extra money. The same goes for gym equipment, ovens, bike helmets, car seats, and other things that could be dangerous if old and damaged.
9. Don’t Live Somewhere Unsafe
For many people, rent is their biggest expense every month. That $ 300-a-month apartment may look good now, but when you’re surrounded by rats and carry pepper spray every time you walk outside, you’ll realize saving a few hundred dollars is not worth your safety and health. Live somewhere reasonably safe and clean.
10. Don’t Miss Out on Fun
If you find yourself skipping out on fun times with friends and family or just passing on enjoyable solo activities because you have to pay for them, reconsider your perspective. What is the point of saving money all your life if you’re miserable? Remind yourself that spending a little is okay when it means you’ll reap joy and make happy memories.
Source: Reddit.
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If you are always looking for ways to make money, I can assure you there are countless ways. It helps if you are creative and open to crazy ideas to make money legally, whether as a side gig or a full-time job. On a recent online forum, one user asked members, “What are the craziest ways you’ve heard of people making money?” The thread exploded with all sorts of suggestions that we share.
22 Dead Giveaways That Someone Grew Up Poor Long After Escaping Poverty
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Being poor is not a choice but often a reflection of society and should never be a mark of shame. Those who grew up poor have a mindset that is not easy to shake long after escaping poverty. The residual effects of feeling hunger and cold bring back memories that spurred gratitude, resourcefulness, and nostalgia by some who shared their experiences on a popular online community, answering, What are dead giveaways that someone grew up poor?” I recognized similar incidents familiar to me, bringing back memories from my upbringing.
11 Tiny Luxuries We’d Savor if We Struck It Rich
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What small item of luxury would you buy if you won a multimillion-dollar jackpot tonight? What minor yet profound indulgence would you spend your newfound wealth on? Most people would want to jump out of debt and buy a posh house by the sea where the wind gently pushes off the window panes in summertime reverie, but if you were confined to only the little luxurious things, what tiny special treats would you savor if money stopped being an issue? Someone on a money forum wanted to know what small luxury people would cash in on if they suddenly hit gold, and we consider these the funniest and most thoughtful responses on the thread.
Baby On A Budget – How to Dodge 10 Costly Pitfalls
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Let’s be honest: Having a kid is becoming more expensive as the years go by! Recently, men and women met online to reveal how to dodge costly parenthood pitfalls. Whether it’s genius money-saving strategies, avoiding costly baby purchases, or simply purchasing sensible things for your child, here is how to be a parent and not go broke.
10 Things To Always Buy On the Cheap Because It’s Not Worth Spending More
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Every time you decide to leave your house to make a trip to the grocery store or eat out, you’re making a conscious decision: to save money or not. Thanks to inflation, a trip to the grocery store will cost you more than ever before, and that’s why it’s so essential to make money-savvy decisions every chance you get.
